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Post by ann- on Aug 11, 2011 23:49:20 GMT -7
Does anyone else get irritated follicles from friction of liners and what do they do about it?
Am currently off my legs due to a, what looked like, red irritated raised follicle, on my leg ... which is taking an annoying amount of time to go. Haven't been to the GP, as he usually just tells me to rest these things and gives me antibiotic cream, which have used but is not making a lot of difference ... its not open as such, just red. Have tried putting a plaster and then the liner and leg back on and it just inflames it more ... so has anyone any ideas.
I am used to dealing with rubs on my skin graft but this is different and on the normal skin, although I can see that all the follicles on my normal skin under the liner area are raised, and I did bring this up with the doc at my previous centre, who told me it was friction and not to worry. I wasn't aware of anything wrong in that area until I took the leg off and discovered this red spot earlier this week, and it doesn't hurt as such.
Am imagining this is just an inflamed follicle, but want to know if other people get this friction, and how they manage it, do these use any regular creams or whatever ... I don't get it at all on my other leg where I don't use a liner as yet ... though just been prescribed one, but as socket doesn't fit properly not yet really wearing it.
Any ideas, folks.
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Post by barclay on Aug 12, 2011 0:15:54 GMT -7
There is a product I've used though not on the stump - maybe check with your MD if it's counter indicated. I only know it by it's German name, but found an English site on Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthammol - which maybe a pharmacist would recognize. Hope you are back on you legs soon!! |
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Post by allenuk on Aug 12, 2011 7:04:46 GMT -7
Funnily enough, I think I've traced my current hyper-irritation of the stump down to three or four ingrown hairs. I thought I had a cut, but my partner inspected it, and said no, but she thought the sore bits were little 'spots' where hairs had turn back in.
Haven't had this before, and even though they're tiny they are damned irritating, and disproportionately sore.
A.
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Post by tedatrowercpo on Aug 12, 2011 10:32:30 GMT -7
Don't shave
Try lubricating the area with a -small- amount of petroleum jelly ( unless you wear an Alpha, then use vegetable oil only)
See your prosthetist to see if pressure in that area can be reduced.
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Post by allenuk on Aug 13, 2011 2:52:21 GMT -7
Thanks Ted.
As a temporary measure, how about 'corn pads'? In the UK, they are sticky pads with holes in the middle, that you position (usually on the soles of your foot) with the 'corn' in the hole. Object: to relieve the pain of the pressure on the corn, and to allow it to soften for removal.
Assuming you know what I'm talking about (!) do you think such a device might help on the front of my stump, where these tiny sore pimples are located?
Allen
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Post by ann- on Aug 13, 2011 7:39:07 GMT -7
Thanks Ted. As a temporary measure, how about 'corn pads'? In the UK, they are sticky pads with holes in the middle, that you position (usually on the soles of your foot) with the 'corn' in the hole. Object: to relieve the pain of the pressure on the corn, and to allow it to soften for removal. Assuming you know what I'm talking about (!) do you think such a device might help on the front of my stump, where these tiny sore pimples are located? Allen Tried these many moons ago Allen, and they didn't work for me, I think to do with the pressure and caused more probs ... I now seem to be left with a red spot but its now flat and seems ok...ish ... was back on the leg for a few hours today ... and all seems ok ... fingers x'd. |
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Post by cherylm on Aug 13, 2011 23:50:06 GMT -7
Allen, I've also been battling skin problems on my stump recently. The worst of it has been one spot where the skin has greatly thickened, cracked, and become very sore to the touch. It took several doctors' consultations and a biopsy to determine that it truly was just a severe reaction to skin irritation. It's apparently not related to an ingrown hair...but the upshot of it is that I just tried the "corn pad" method of compensation myself, and it was a sad, sad failure! Even though the major portion of my irritated spot was in the open portion of the corn pad, the pressure around the outside edges set off a massive reaction with much pain. The only thing that's seemed to work for me is spending the past couple of weeks "legless." Sorry about that, and I hope that, if you try it, your result is better...........................
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Post by allenuk on Aug 14, 2011 2:13:50 GMT -7
Yes, Cheryl, Ann, I knew that I was clutching at straws.
I've reverted to those Second Skin gel pads (as per video on Comfort socks, windows, etc, on previous thread), although rather than letting them 'float' I'm currently trying not-too-sticky chiropodists tape to tag them on, so they stay in the right place.
They do work for a few hours (although sodding expensive...). I've tried them next to the skin, on top of the comfort socks, even outside the Alpha liner, but the only place that works is right next to the skin.
I'm going to try some proprietary ingrown hair lotion from the chemists (expensive, too - does that mean it works?) and will report back.
Not that I need to tell you fellow-sufferers, but the worst thing is that the area probably only measures about the size of a small penny (unsure what currency to convert that to), but it really does Hurt like Hell!
Ah well. All things pass, hopefully.
Allen.
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Post by ann- on Aug 15, 2011 0:19:19 GMT -7
Yep ... for me too Cheryl, the only thing that really works is leaving the leg completely off and letting things heal, though its taken me a while to get to realizing that <grin>
I think I have been relatively lucky this time round though and am back on the legs again, took it quite tentatively over the weekend end but things seem ok, I am moisturising it well which is helping too. Kind of new for me as its usually the skin graft which gets got, but this was on normal skin, though think just an irritated follicle, though socket is not fitting and had recently tried a different liner so maybe thats the reason.
I have been where you are though Allen, and spending a fortune on plasters and potions, just a thought, but if its been going on for some time get your GP to refer you to a dermatologist, they can usually spot instantly what the problem is and give you something to treat it.
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Post by allenuk on Aug 15, 2011 0:28:11 GMT -7
Yes, that's a good thought, Ann. Mind, there does seem to be an element of buck-passing these days between limb-fitting centre medics and GPs, but I think if I can gird up my loins and be determined enough, I can 'encourage' my GP to do something positive (even a prescription for the 2nd Skin Gels would help!)
A.
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Post by ann- on Aug 15, 2011 3:56:16 GMT -7
Yes, that's a good thought, Ann. Mind, there does seem to be an element of buck-passing these days between limb-fitting centre medics and GPs, but I think if I can gird up my loins and be determined enough, I can 'encourage' my GP to do something positive (even a prescription for the 2nd Skin Gels would help!) A. I don't have any local limb fitting medics Allen, though am currently getting access to one as am going out of area, some years back though I had a sore which led to a bigger sore etc. etc., got infected and went on for months, tried antibiotics, nothing worked, saw dermatologist and it was more or less healed in a week ... so now anything that's not healing or I am not happy about, I just ask to be referred to whoever I think i need to be ...... you have to be quite firm <grin> and try and stick to your guns, but think my GP has got quite used to me now and generally will refer me on. Rehab consultants, nurse etc., if you've got one at your local DSC are fine, long as you can get an appointment relatively quick etc., and will prescribe whatever you need, but anything not responding I'd ask for referral. (Do know I am a bit of a pain and those treating me must dread me walking through the door, but I do know my legs !!!) |
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ann58
Female Member 
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Post by ann58 on Aug 16, 2011 18:54:34 GMT -7
If u have ingrown hairs, would it be a NO~NO to squeeze them out?  ? |
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Post by allenuk on Aug 17, 2011 1:28:18 GMT -7
I think common sense must be key here. If you have a history of skin problems, particularly on your stump, then it is a No-No, as it could make things worse.
If you live in a country with a free(-ish) health service, then get to your doctor, and you will probably be referred to a dermatologist. Alternatively, your limb-fitting centre has doctors, and one of them should be able to advise.
If you live in the Land of the Free, however, then you probably squeeze them out! Well, as a last resort. Even though I'm in the free(-ish) UK, I'm using a lotion called SkinDoctors Ingrow Go at the moment, as I'm a great believer in self-help, and it's cheap enough.
It's supposed to wear away the dead skin to the point where the hairs that are turned inwards just 'pop out' and you can then deal with them as you like. Only day 2, so I'll report back after a week or so.
Allen.
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Post by tedatrowercpo on Aug 19, 2011 9:45:14 GMT -7
If u have ingrown hairs, would it be a NO~NO to squeeze them out? ? Yes, that would be a bad idea. Instead try a warm moist soak then stretching the skin over the top of the ingrown hair. A light scrubbing with a cloth may also help open the follicle and allow the hair to exit. |
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ann58
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Post by ann58 on Aug 20, 2011 18:00:23 GMT -7
The last time I had a large blood blister on the back of my leg....they told me NO do not squeeze to pop it...stay out of leg & wait it out....Well, after a week & a half I had ~ had enough. Out came a new needle which had been sterilized & no more blister....did not wear prosthetic & used infection cream covered w/bandage. Within two days healed. Don't do what I do...do what you're told to do!
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Post by barclay on Aug 21, 2011 0:31:23 GMT -7
;D
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Post by allenuk on Aug 21, 2011 2:50:11 GMT -7
Yes, it's not that the advice we get from doctors etc. isn't sound advice, very correct, by the book, etc., it's the fact that they don't take account us being unable to WALK while waiting for our bits and pieces to heal up.
There are dangers in short-cuts, no question, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone - but I'd understand only too well if you were driven to take them by being stuck on crutches or in a wheelchair.
A.
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Post by allenuk on Aug 28, 2011 13:00:15 GMT -7
Well, I tried the SkinDoctor anti ingrown hair treatment for a few days - there are very few instructions with the bottle - it mainly says 'apply to affected area'.
No warnings about applying too much...
Anyway, like a bloke, I applied a bit too much (!) and some surface skin rubbed off, too, which was okay for me (lucky) but MIGHT not be for you, so watch it. It's some sort of acid that you're rubbing into your skin, so I'd say avoid it on sensitive skin.
But it has seemed to work to some extent - the VERY annoying pain at that point has largely gone away, so I must get my partner to have a closer look with a magnifying glass to see if the hair follicles have 'popped out', as it says on the bottle.
Verdict: useable, but with extreme care, and don't just splash it on like I did.
Allen.
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Post by barclay on Sept 5, 2011 7:44:41 GMT -7
The last time I had a large blood blister on the back of my leg....they told me NO do not squeeze to pop it...stay out of leg & wait it out....Well, after a week & a half I had ~ had enough. Out came a new needle which had been sterilized & no more blister....did not wear prosthetic & used infection cream covered w/bandage. Within two days healed. Don't do what I do...do what you're told to do! This is a spin off on blood blisters - and bad experience with using the Compeed blister pad products with them. I tried it and ended up with an infection which I didn't notice the starting signs for as it was under the Compeed. I had tried this once before and tried taking off the Compeed after a day or so which ripped the covering skin off and was slow to heal. The Compeeds are a God-send for regular blisters, but not for blood blisters! (I have a new prosthesis which isn't fitting well). |
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ann58
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Post by ann58 on Sept 5, 2011 9:46:27 GMT -7
Sorry about that Barclay...I hate it when I have to have a new prosthesis made. Seems it always has so many ups & downs plus exact fitting takes forever.  Hope this goes rapidly.  |
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Post by ann- on Sept 11, 2011 11:28:18 GMT -7
Barclay .... I have found 'second skin' better than compeed blister plasters, work better on my skin grafting.
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Post by barclay on Sept 11, 2011 22:19:58 GMT -7
Have you used them with blood blisters ?
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Post by ann- on Sept 11, 2011 23:50:02 GMT -7
Have you used them with blood blisters ? to be honest Barclay, can't remember, before my revision a couple of years back was using an old fashioned no.8 type and got no end of rubs and blisters, so was always trying out different products, since the revision I had couple of years back, apart from a few times where I've had a few major probs and left the leg off completely haven't had too many probs with it blister-wise. |
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Post by cherylm on Sept 12, 2011 2:01:45 GMT -7
While on the subject of skin irritations, has anyone here "suddenly" developed a sensitivity to a liner that they've already been using for well over a year?? I switched to an Iceross liner actually since the fall of 2009 and, while it's never been as comfortable as some others I've worn, it always did what it was supposed to and didn't cause any problems. Until this past June, when I developed both a skin growth at the base of my stump and some wide, red, itchy skin patches all over the area the liner covers.
It took about a month for all my various skin problems to clear up...but as soon as I put the liner back on, the red patches returned. I've made several attempts to return to wearing the liner, and each time I break out in the same spots. Sooo...I pulled out an old liner and tried that, and I've not had a single break-out since!
I would have understood it, had I just started wearing the Iceross liner...but sensitivity after two years of use??? Does that strike anyone as strange, or have you guys encountered similar reactions?
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ann58
Female Member
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Post by ann58 on Sept 12, 2011 7:52:30 GMT -7
This hasn't happened to me with liners, but it has with pills.
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?
Hope this goes rapidly. 